Chapter 4: Sir, You Don’t Want To..
In the Noval Family mansion, in the reception hall.
Although this is just one of the many properties of the Duke of Noval, it’s sizable enough to rival the main residence of some affluent earls.
Not only are all necessary facilities present, but it even includes a back garden for the mansion’s master to relax in.
Reid stood in front of the stained glass window of the reception hall, gazing at the garden outside while sorting through his thoughts.
Last night, he had learned a lot about his mysterious client from Heloise.
Lena Noval, a direct descendant of the Duke of Noval.
While she belongs to one of Gran City’s most prominent noble families, Lena rarely appears in social gatherings.
Instead, she achieved unusually high marks among the nobility to enter Cambridge University in the capital.
Moreover, after graduating, she chose to abandon the Duke’s favorable conditions to join the military.
It was only a few days ago that she returned to Gran City.
The reason is simple: the old Duke of Noval is seeking a successor.
Lena’s mother was the eldest daughter of the current Duke of Noval and was supposed to be the undisputed heir, but Lena’s parents both died in an accident when she was a child.
The more one is born into such a noble family, the less familial affection there seems to be.
With the death of Lena’s mother, and with the current Duke of Noval delaying the announcement of an heir, several uncles and aunts who had resigned themselves to fate immediately began to become active, secretly building their own power.
This means that Lena’s competitors are elders who are significantly older and have been entrenched in Gran City for many years.
One can imagine the pressure Lena is under.
In such adverse circumstances, does she still choose to come back to contest for inheritance?
Reid recalled Heloise’s words from last night; it seems that the “Duke’s foolish girl” truly lived up to her name.
After signing the contract at the Afterlife Tavern last night, Heloise paid him fifteen gold coins.
This was half of the upfront payment provided by Lena Noval, of course, after deducting Heloise’s commission.
Fortunately, the system’s rewards are exempt from any commissions.
The moment the upfront payment was received, one hundred system points were credited to Reid’s account, allowing him to gain an ability known as “Thought Acceleration.”
Reid gently pressed his temples, as a slight, barely perceptible blue glow flickered in his pupils.
Activating Thought Acceleration, the noisy voices around him were instantaneously dissected in his consciousness.
This heightened sense of awareness didn’t last long; a sharp pain shot from his nostrils to his brow.
Reid reflexively reached for his nose, his fingertips touching warm liquid—
Another bout of damn nosebleed.
This was a side effect of excessive use of “Thought Acceleration.”
Reid discreetly wiped away the blood with a handkerchief, simultaneously calculating the duration of this ability’s use in his mind.
Although the time was brief, he successfully identified a unique footstep sound gradually approaching the reception hall—
It seemed that this was his client, Lena Noval.
The rhythm of military boots struck the ground with authority.
Two years ago, when he crossed the border of the Victoria Kingdom illegally, it was this very sound that roused him from unconsciousness.
Reid’s escape had not been smooth, and it could even be termed lucky.
The Victoria Kingdom was at war with the neighboring Augustus Empire; just as Reid had narrowly escaped from the pursuit of Augustus cavalry, he ran right into a patrol from the Victoria Kingdom.
He still remembers that patrol’s captain was a silver-haired girl, and the wound on his chest, just a few centimeters from his heart, was inflicted by her.
An old injury on Reid’s left rib suddenly sent a sharp pain coursing through him.
He was too familiar with this sensation.
Whenever it rained, that blade wound that almost cost him his life two years ago would ache like this.
Reid stuffed the bloody handkerchief back in his pocket. At the moment the sound of military boots stopped in front of the door, he forced his expression to return to calm.
The door opened with hardly any noise, and Reid turned around. The girl at the door was even smaller than he had imagined.
Lena Noval appeared to be only around twenty years old, dressed in a crisp, dark blue military uniform, a gold sash meticulously draped across her chest.
Yet this breathtakingly beautiful girl, upon entering his line of sight, made Reid feel as though he had fallen into an icy abyss.
Every detail of that night exploded in his mind: the rainy night, the mud, the cold sensation when the military knife pierced his left rib.
And those eyes, almost transparent and gray-blue, illuminated by lightning.
Yes, this noble girl in a pristine military uniform was indeed the Victoria officer who had stabbed him in the left rib two years ago.
Damn!
Reid screamed internally, the blood surging against his eardrums with a roar.
He should have thought of that!
How could the damn system offer so many rewards for nothing? Was it waiting for me here?
At this moment, Lena was also scrutinizing him with her gray-blue eyes. Reid’s throat tightened, and even breathing became difficult.
This was not out of fear, but purely a physiological reaction.
The wound on his left rib throbbed, and the pain in his chest recognized this person who had nearly killed him before even Reid’s consciousness did.
Fortunately, she seemed to have no recognition of Reid:
“Lena Noval, nice to meet you,” the silver-haired girl stood at the entrance, “You are the bartender Heloise mentioned?”
Lena’s voice was clearer than he remembered, yet carried the same metallic tone.
Run!
Reid’s inner alarms blared, and the thought of escape instantaneously took over, but his feet felt as if they were glued to the ground, unable to move.
The contract had already been signed, and tearing it up would require a hefty compensation.
Not to mention whether Reid could afford the amount, if he tore the contract without cause, it would raise Lena’s suspicions—
Reid’s temples throbbed; he couldn’t dare to bet all his hopes on Heloise’s conscience.
He had no expectation that a tavern owner could withstand the pressure of a duke’s heir.
Reid forced himself to take a deep breath, allowing the cold air to fill his lungs. He bowed slightly as if to greet, concealing the turmoil in his eyes.
When Reid lifted his head again, a perfect smile had been affixed to his face—
This was a skill he had honed working at Heloise’s Afterlife Tavern for two years.
“Reid Collins, at your service, miss.”
Reid’s voice was steady enough to surprise even himself, but his left hand hidden in his sleeve was tightly clenched into a fist, his nails digging into his palm.
The pain kept him alert while constantly reminding him of his current situation.
If she recognizes him, it would be all over; he absolutely cannot show any signs in front of her!
As long as Lena has not recognized his identity, there is still room for maneuver!
There is still a chance to live!
As long as he persuades Lena to voluntarily withdraw from the contract and slips out of Gran City before she realizes his true identity, he might have a narrow escape!
Lena walked straight to the sofa in the center of the reception hall. As they brushed past each other, Reid noticed a small copper badge pinned to her military uniform at the collar— it was the cat emblem of the Victoria 7th Light Cavalry.
This very unit had almost annihilated the Augustus cavalry in the skirmish two years prior.
But when she reached for the teacup on the coffee table, the wrist that showed from her sleeve was astonishingly slim.
“Sit.”
“Thank you for your kindness, but I prefer to stand,” Reid maintained a safe distance, “After all, I’m used to it in the tavern.”
Lena’s gray-blue eyes narrowed slightly: “It seems Heloise did not tell you the rules.”
“Permit me to speak frankly, miss. With your status, you could easily find someone more suitable with just a wave of your finger at a ball…”
“I don’t want a flirt,” Lena interrupted suddenly, “I need a smart person who knows when to keep quiet.”
“A smart person wouldn’t get involved in noble succession wars,” Reid chuckled lightly, “Especially when the opponents are your experienced elders.”
The air suddenly thickened.
“Seems Heloise shared too much with you.”
“Not too much, but just enough for me to refuse this job.” Reid turned to leave.
“The penalty for breach of contract is ten times the advance,” Lena’s voice ensnared Reid’s steps, “500 gold coins, or…”
“Mr. Reid Collins, you don’t want the town hall to know about your illegal status, do you?”
Damn Heloise!
How could you tell her something like that?
Reid gritted his teeth and walked back to the coffee table: “Miss Lena Noval, I suddenly find that one hundred gold coins do sound quite tempting.”
Lena smiled charmingly: “Pleasure to cooperate, Mr. Reid Collins.”
Even Reid himself was surprised; when he took Lena’s outstretched hand, his fingers were rock solid.
As their fingertips touched, Reid even managed to show Lena an earnest smile.
“From today on, you are no longer Reid Collins,” Lena’s expression turned serious, “You are Reid Asteria, the son of a northern gentleman who met me while studying at Cambridge.”
“Asteria,” Reid savored the pronunciation, a self-deprecating smile curving at the corners of his mouth, “It certainly sounds worth much more than Collins.”
“Looking forward to working with you, Miss Noval.”
“It’s time for a change.” Lena’s pretty brows furrowed slightly, and her expression revealed a hint of youthful innocence.
“Should we start by you calling me ‘dear’?”
